Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is offering customers more ways to save money and conserve energy by extending energy efficiency programs.
The programs are available to all NIPSCO electric customers and will replace the state-wide Energizing Indiana programs. They are set to expire at the end of 2014. Popular residential programs such as the Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, the New Construction Program and Low Income Weatherization Program will continue. Continue reading
A Fort Wayne man was recently arrested under the suspicion of driving his vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance.
James Krout, 40, was pulled over by Marshall County police on U.S. 30 near the intersection of Pioneer Drive and during the course of the traffic stop officers believed that Krout was under the influence. Officers also found that Krout’s Driver’s License was suspended in a lifetime forfeiture.
A 29-year-old Knox High School graduate is missing in the waters of Lake Michigan.
Ron Wood, Jr. of Chicago and several others were in a boat drifting off shore north of Mount Baldy on Saturday night. Two members of the group jumped into the lake and became separated from the boat. A few passengers jumped into the water to retrieve the swimmers. The remaining passenger in the boat could not start the boat’s engine and called 911.
Funeral services for James R. Hardesty, 92, Starke County philanthropist, historian, banker, supporter of higher education and of community programs and projects, as well as an active Davis Township farmer until his mid-80s, are scheduled Saturday, June 7 at the Hamlet United Methodist Church.
Much of his community work had been in the background, as he always preferred to go about it without fanfare.
Often recognized for his support of many community activities, he was honored with the Henry F. Schricker Award, given for “service before self,” and the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Ancilla College at Donaldson, where he has been a member of the Board of Trustees and a major financial contributor.
A graduate of Purdue University and a World War II veteran, he was a local historian, authoring publications on the history of the Starke County Courthouse and the Town of Hamlet, as well as being active in the Starke County Historical Society.
Mr. Hardesty was an active member of the Hamlet United Methodist Church and many, many area community organizations.
The Starke County Commissioners will revisit the proposed expansion of EMS services when they meet this morning. Director Paul Matthewson is seeking to add a paramedic to the North Judson and possibly the Grovertown base so the county can offer transfers from IU Health Starke Hospital to other facilities. Such transfers are covered by insurance or Medicaid and would generate money for the county. The commissioners want to make sure the expanded service will make money for the county before agreeing to proceed. Matthewson plans to hire part-time paramedics in order to keep costs down. Continue reading
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet in regular session today where Bart Trester from USI will have an update on the 7th Road project and the Metronet project.
The Metronet project started a few weeks ago where conduit is being installed from Ireland Road in South Bend to Marshall County. That conduit will house broadband cables for high speed internet for businesses to increase productivity. The project is expected to be complete this year.
WKVI is sponsoring a singing competition for youngsters during the Starke County Fair. WKVIdol will take place Monday, July 14 at 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds. The competition will be divided into three age groups: ages 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18. Each age group will have a maximum of four contestants. The first step for would-be contestants is to submit a 1 minute singing demo with your name, address, email and telephone number. You can drop it off at the station on a compact disc or other digital media file or email an mp3 to wkvidol@wkvi.com. Please list the top three family-friendly songs you would like to perform. Duplicate songs will not be allowed, so the sooner you submit your demo, the greater your chances of getting to sing your favorite song for the competition. Continue reading
Starke County residents have signed up to take another step forward in improving the health in Starke County.
The kick off event for Moving Starke County Forward’s “Another Step Forward” walking challenge was held Saturday where a ceremonial first lap around Wythogan Park was taken by those in attendance.
The Knox Community School Board will discuss breakfast and lunch prices for the 2014-15 school year when they meet this evening. The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation has raised prices for next year. It is possible Knox will follow suit. Another agenda item is discussion of the Trane service agreement for air conditioning systems. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Knox Elementary School.
This year’s Knox Community High School graduation will feature something unique. A few seniors went to principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff earlier this year and inquired about voting for their own commencement speaker. All seniors were eligible to be chosen as the speaker. The 2014 senior class voted to have Chris Baczynski give the commencement speech at their ceremony on Friday, June 6. Baczynski was a member of the SCILL welding program, a football player and served as student council president. He will be attending IUSB after graduation.
Come celebrate the recent renovations at the Henry F. Shricker Public Library in Knox during their annual summer reading program kick off today at 5:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s children and young adult program is Fizz…Boom…Read. It is a science oriented theme but that doesn’t mean that the reading choices are limited to science books. Students will be required to fill out a reading log and will then be eligible for prizes. The program runs from June 2 until July 26. Although the kickoff aimed towards kids there is a summer reading program for adults in which they will need to read six books checked out from the library. Entertainment for the little ones will include the presence of story book characters such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and Llama Llama Red Pajama. Any questions about this program or any other library services can be directed to program director Andrea Brown at abrown@starkecountylibrary.org or 772-7323.
Boater education courses are planned for June 14 and July 19 in Starke County. If you successfully complete the class, you will be given an Indiana ID which allows you to operate motorboats on state waters. These IDs can be obtained by anyone 15 years of age and older.
Indiana Conservation Officers offer the first class on Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association (BLPOA) Community Center at 6996 S. State Road 10. The second class will be on Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at the Koontz Lake Homeowners Association Clubhouse at 10896 Cherokee in Walkerton.
Our Tyler Roth/WKVI Athlete of the Year for this year is Ashley Campbell, a member of the Girls Basketball team at Oregon-Davis High School.
Ashley concluded a great high school athletic career by leading her team to a State Championship!
Campbell set an Oregon-Davis school record with 1,863 career points in her 4 years as a starter, breaking the old record of 1,606 points set by Aubrey Minix. In addition, she led her team in assists for 4 years with a total of 509, 2nd all-time behind Gabi Minix who had 711.
The 5-8 senior was the MVP 3 times for her team and led them in free throw shooting for 3 years. She was also named the MVP in the Bi-County tournament while leading her team to 2 Bi-County Championships. Campbell also helped lead the Lady ‘Cats to 3 Sectional Championships, a Regional, and Semi-State Championship. In the State Championship game this year, Ashley set the State Finals record for points in a championship game with 35.
Ashley is the daughter of Emily and Lance Campbell and joins Sarah Konkey, a 2-time winner of the award, as the second Oregon-Davis athlete to be named as our Tyler Roth/WKVI Athlete of the Year.
Congratulations to Ashley Campbell of Oregon-Davis, our 2013-2014 Tyler Roth/WKVI Athlete of the Year!
The pavilion and picnic benches at Sandy Acres Park got a fresh coat of paint, thanks to IU Health Starke Hospital associates and their families. President Craig Felty says they chose the site for their annual day of service. They worked with Knox Park Superintendent George Byer to figure out how to best use their time and talents. Associates tackled several projects. They painted picnic tables and the park pavilion, installed exercise equipment and spread mulch in the play areas. Felty says all of the IU Health associates enjoy getting out and giving time back to the community.
The Culver-Union Township Public Library is getting the summer started with an ice cream party. The Monday afternoon event marks the start of their summer reading program for children, teens and adults. The hourlong event starts at 2 p.m. EDT Monday afternoon in the library’s large meeting room. Local author Jack Johnson will read from his children’s book “The Ice Cream Hotel” and sign copies. Registration is open to library patrons of all ages. The free summer reading program continues through Thursday, July 31. Call the Culver-Union Township Public Library at 574-842-2941 or visit http://www.culver.lib.in.us/ for more information.
Each year the Oregon-Davis School Corporation does their part for cancer research by collecting donations for the American Cancer Society.
Elementary school special education teacher Roberta Salyer is responsible for starting the program and for keeping it running for ten years now. Last year the school raised $1,200 for ACS. This year their goal was $1500. Classrooms had donation jars in them over the last few weeks and people could make donations at yesterday’s mini relay for life.
“The choices you make today will follow you tomorrow” was the message that guest speaker Janice Hernandez wanted the students to take away from the SCILL graduation ceremony Thursday evening.
Hernandez is in charge over at Integrity Trade Services and advised the students gradating from the program to include their work with the SCILL Center on their resumes.
The Knox Community Schools are participating in the U.S.D.A. Summer Feeding Program this year. This is an opportunity for members of the community to receive meals Monday through Thursday throughout the summer. Breakfast will be served at the Knox High School at 7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. The program lasts from June 9 until July 3. Any questions may be directed to Knox Community Schools Director of Food Services Sandra Landry at 574-772-1632.
Several sentencing hearings were held in Starke Circuit Court this week where some heavy sentences were handed down to drug offenders.
Joseph Lippner pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of Dealing in a Controlled Substance (heroin) as a Class B felony. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Lippner to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with no part of the sentence suspended. As part of the plea agreement, he waived his right to appeal his sentence. He will be able to participate a therapeutic community while incarcerated.
